Saturday January 6th

Saturday Well, basketball returns this weekend, although Jamieson’s game was at 12.30 so we (I) had some more time this morning to get my stuff done. Bruce stayed in bed this morning for a bit of a sleep in, the boys were up and running as per usual so I took the extra time to put the new pictures on the blog. We went off to Jamieson’s game, which they won again, but the other team was a hustling team but we came through. We organized for a catch up with one of the families for tomorrow and went to a couple of stores to take some stuff back and grab a couple of other things. We came home and had some lunch then I finished up some of the washing etc, and a headache came on. The boys went off to Conner’s game and I lay down to try and get rid if it. They got home an hour later and were not happy, they lost again, and Conner played well so that’s what we are looking for. We had showers and got organized then made our way to Paula’s for dinner (for Justin’s birthday). It was pretty low key; we had some pizza and I had made cupcakes for him to blow the candle out. The boys played with new toys and Bruce helped put together some new furniture Paula had bought. Like I said pretty low key, Justin put himself in bed at around 8.00pm so we didn’t get a chance to do cupcakes. We were home and the kids were in bed at 10.00. Sunday We all woke up to a nice sunny Sunday morning, still freezing but nice and sunny. I started with the cleaning while the boys lay around for the morning. All the girls know what it’s like when visitors are coming, whether you want to or not, you just at least have to make sure the bathrooms and kitchens are done. I had mentally made plans in my head to go out and get through some of my to get list, Conner’s PJ’s are going to have to wait now. We sat down and watched Ben Graham do his kicking thing when the Jets played in the NFL Playoffs, but lost. So I guess he’ll be coming home for a nice relaxing summer. We had a light lunch and at 2.00 Mark, Renee and Alex arrived. Sorry to Rhys and Jackson who called, but we had company. The boys went off and played and we chatted for a couple of hours. It was actually really nice, they are nice people and the boys had a lot of fun. They left around 5.00 and we had some dinner and watched the NFL playoffs. Made sure everyone was ready for the start of the week and off to bed for an early night. Monday Another week begins, just like usual. We woke the kids up and were out the door and off to school by 8.00am. Paula dropped the boys off and went off to her early meeting. Bruce dropped me off at the office and the girls and I finished moving Paula and Renee downstairs. The day kind of went fast, even though I don’t have a lot on (playing the waiting game with Paula for project direction) things popped up to keep me busy for most of the day. Bruce picked up the boys from school then me from work. We did homework and I caught up with Millie on the phone. We were out again to basketball practice and grocery shopping at 4.45pm. Back again at 6.15 and the TV went straight on the watch the College Football national championship game. How it’s all figured out who plays in what bowl is just a mystery to me. We had some dinner and the kids were in bed reading at 7.45. Tuesday Another Tuesday arrived and Bruce was home working today. The boys and I went off to school and I did an hour in Jamieson’s class of parent helping and then went to the Multi Purpose room to watch Conner in the school Geography competition. It was for grades 4-6 so we were really proud that he just wanted to give it a go. You know what Conner’s like, not unless he thinks he’s going to be great at it. He got one of the two questions right in the 1st round and made it to the last six kids. He didn’t get another question right and at the end of the 2nd round it was down to 2 kids. He was really happy with his effort, as were we, I was a very proud parent sitting with the other parents. Bruce had to go into the office, so I had to catch a ride into work from Renee. The day was a weird one at work, lost of organizing everyone, so at times you don’t know if you are actually accomplishing anything. I picked Jamieson up from school and Conner was off to Math club. We organized for Nolan to come over for a play, after homework, that’s the beauty of finishing school at 2.30. Karen (Nolan’s mum) dropped him off, and we organized for Conner to go there and play with Matthew. The big boys were at the Hawkins and we had the little ones here, perfect. We did the swap and were back together and at the dinner table at 6.00. Briefly chatted with Rhys on messenger. The boys were in bed reading at 7.45 and I went to Paula’s for our meeting just after 8.00. Bruce text me at 10.30 to say he was going to bed & Paula and I finished up around 11.45. It was worth it, we got heaps done and are now on track and heading in a good direction with lots of clarity. Wednesday We woke up this morning to the sun shining but boy was it cold. We are going through a nice sunny spell but apparently in the next few days the nights are going to be hitting zero. That’s been hard to get used to, we walked to school and then I waited for Paula to come and get me. Off to work, and for whatever reason I spend most of the day putting Ed’s furniture and office together. We had our meetings and Paula dropped me off to pick the kids up from school. Conner went to Math Club and Jamieson did his homework then chilled out. Conner got home and finished up his homework. Bruce got home and I went out in the car to get some PJ’s for Conner. They don’t really sell them here for kids Conner’s age, finding them is not an easy thing to do. So I was on a mission. I finally had to be happy with just pajama bottoms from Old Navy. I got home and Conner really liked them, so it was a successful outing, I suppose. Thursday Another below freezing night last night, with the kids arguing this morning about who’s turn it was to smash the ice that is the bird bath. Bruce and the boys went off to school, Bruce was doing parent helping for Conner this morning. A good dad thing that he does a couple of times a year for the boys. Paula and I went to work and I was off on my little over organizing tangent. Lots to do, reorganizing the office with Paula’s new schedule. Hopefully it will lessen the stress on her a little. Bruce was home working for the day, he has lots to do, you know Bruce, anything less than 3 projects on the go he goes nuts and gets bored. I picked the kids up from school and Kristin, Paula and all the boys came over for a play. It was lots of fun for everyone. Bruce was out and about doing his stuff while we took over the house. Conner had math club again and got home around 3.50, jumped straight into the fun. They all left around 5.30 and I made dinner. Bruce got home and we had some dinner then they all went off to Conner’s basketball practice. I did some work while they were gone and they got back had a little homework to finish and then off to bed. Bruce was in bed early with a sleeping tablet so he would get good nights sleep. He has a busy weekend coming up. I was not far behind, still getting used to the routine again. Friday We woke up and I was up and around as Jakary is being dropped off with us at 7.00am for the next week, cause his mum has training at work so is coming to school with us. Everyone was up and ready to go earlier so that is a perk of him coming over so early. I woke up with a bonus (cold sore), which is always fun, not. Not sure why, cause I’m taking my vitamins so I shouldn’t be run down. So I’m going to have a beautiful fat lip all weekend. Bruce did the drop off this morning, school then work, then back home to get into it. Our Admin girl was out today so I was doing double duty, which can be a pain when you aren’t sure if she’s done the things you’ve asked her to do. I did a bit of organizing of Ed too, into his new office, a bit of a push, which he needs. I’ve given him until Monday then I’m going to start riding his butt, he knows it so it’s not as bossy as it sounds. The great thing for me is that both he and Paula know they need it so they welcome the push. Found out another game that they don’t play here is SNAP!! No idea what that means, it’s so weird, so tunnel ball and snap, what sheltered lives these kids have. Fancy not knowing how to play snap!!! The boys only had a minimum day so I had to be out of the office to pick them up for a 12.30 finish. Bruce was out and the boys and I got home and had a snack/ lunch, then Bruce came home and we were in the car and off to the office at around 1.45. We picked Paula up from the office and drove to the airport. Dropped off Paula for her flight to LA and Bruce and Jamieson stayed behind to pick up the hire car for the weekend trip to LA. (Bruce and a few others were off to a Saturday conference in LA. They are driving down and driving home.) Conner and I grabbed a birthday present for John’s party tomorrow and then some stuff for dinner, dropped Paula’s car off at her place and Bruce picked us up. Our dinner and sleepover guest Kerry, (Australian, here for 20 years) was staying and going with Bruce to LA. Really nice lady, hasn’t lost her Australian wit at all, she is a nice lady. Bruce and Kerry went off to bed early around 9.30 when the kids went off to bed. I stayed up for a little longer but was in bed around 11.00. A lot is going on and we are all really busy just with our lives, Jamieson is just being Jamieson, full on! Conner has his math club, which he is not complaining about at all, which is so great. Bruce is just being Bruce 500 miles an hour, and Belinda is well, you’ve read all about it. This is definitely the land of opportunity, take it, roll with it and come home. Thank you to all who emailed me this week, replies are coming. I hope you are staying out of the heat. * Hey everyone, Bruce here – it is Sunday morning here and yesterday’s conference in LA was fantastic – well worth the effort to leave at 2.30am and get home the next morning at 3am (luckily we shared the driving!) It is completely surreal to leave home – drive through LA to Newport Beach then stop for dinner on the way home on the walk of Stars on Hollywood Boulevard - what was really cool was that Paula had NEVER been there – go figure – so I played tour guide – the opportunities here for business are just so amazing and the contacts made yesterday were phenomenal – I will let you know more as they progress – the reason I write this – hopefully it inspires someone to get on a plane and chase a dream – I highly recommend it!!!! God Bless America!!!